Following the Trail of God's Promises: The 40-Day ChallengeSample

God’s Perfect Plan of Salvation

Before us are two biblical texts that talk about the beginning. In the Book of Genesis, we learn about the creation of heaven and earth, about the initial formlessness, chaos and darkness. But everything changes when God speaks and says: “Let there be light.” This is that powerful Word about which we learn in the Gospel of John - that it was before creation, that it was with God during creation, and that Word is God Himself. It is through this Word that life and light come - which no darkness can overcome. It is through this Word, which proclaims the existence of light, that God immediately brings order into chaos and brings life where life had not been possible. God, who is the Word, Life and Light, has been available to humans, whom He created in His own image, since the beginning of human history, and offers them close fellowship. However, people often choose the harder path, move away from God, get lost and wander, and then wonder where God is... And, from the beginning, God has had a perfect plan for mankind that included light, and He never gave up on that plan, regardless of all the darkness that has imposed itself throughout human history. Indeed, man himself persistently dims that light with his way of thinking and living, but God strengthens and brightens it again and again with His gracious action until the fullness of time has been fulfilled.

The theme of this year's Challenge 40 is the history of salvation, and we called it Following the Trail of God’s Promises. For the next 40 days, we want to think together about God's perfect plan of salvation, which is visible throughout the entire history of mankind, starting with the creation of the world and Adam, through Noah, Abraham, and David until the coming of the promised Messiah Jesus Christ.

40 DAYS OF FASTING TOGETHER

Like every year, Challenge 40 represents a time of preparation for Holy Week and the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This year we have thought about giving up something every day during the entire Challenge. So the idea is that we would give up different things for several days, and in this way, through a continuous fast of 40 days, we can ask God to speak into our lives through His Word and these written texts/reflections. We encourage, but also challenge, all readers of Challenge 40 to faithfully sacrifice and persevere!

CATEGORIES OF FASTING

• Days 1-4: TV: movies and series
• Days 5-9: social networks and scrolling
• Days 10-19: caffeine and sweets
• Days 20-25: radio and music
• Days 26-30: buying things that are not necessary for life
• Days 31-40: sleep (wake up earlier than usual and spend time with God)